Cantaloupe Listeria outbreak still claiming victims?Food Safety NewsOne more victim of the nationwide outbreak of Listeria infection linked to Colorado cantaloupes died this week, bringing the death toll to 32. But the woman, who also suffered stage 4 breast cancer, might not be counted in the CDC's final tallly, nor might a 92-year-old man who died in December.MoreShare this article >

Retailers: January sales mixed as shoppers get selectiveThe Associated Press via The Washington PostRetailers reported mixed sales results for January in a sign that American shoppers are continuing to be cautious about when and where they spend their money in the shaky economy.MoreShare this article >

Re-election rumblings for ObamaThe HillRecent economic reports could have the Obama White House worried. All of the reports suggest the pace of economic growth remains slow and unemployment could rise, not fall, before the end of the year. MoreShare this article >

Colorado lawmakers consider banning trans fat in schoolsThe Associated Press via Fox NewsThe nation's leanest state is taking aim at junk food in school cafeterias as it considers the nation's toughest school trans fat ban. A Colorado House committee was scheduled to hear a bill Thursday to forbid any trans fat in school food — not just the food served in regular cafeteria lunches.
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Labor Department changes child farm labor planThe Associated Press via Fox NewsUnder pressure from farm groups, the Labor Department has agreed to modify a plan that was intended to keep children away from some of the most dangerous farm jobs.MoreShare this article >

USDA to withdraw labor law proposal for federal contractorsOffice of the Federal RegisterIn an upcoming edition of the Federal Register, USDA will withdraw its proposed rule that would have required companies doing business with the agency to certify that all subcontractors are in compliance with labor laws — making a federal contractor responsible for ensuring subcontractors do not hire undocumented immigrants or commit other labor infractions.MoreShare this article >

Scientists: Tax, regulate and restrict sugar because it's 'toxic'San Francisco ChronicleLike alcohol and tobacco, sugar is a toxic, addictive substance that should be highly regulated with taxes, laws governing where and to whom it can be advertised — and even age-restricted sales, says a team of scientists from the University of California, San Francisco.MoreShare this article >

GAP/GHP: Protecting and serving produce farmers, businessesUSDA BlogFood safety and the prevention of food borne illness is a priority across the food supply chain in the U.S. With the development of better notification systems and increased consumer awareness of food safety, there is a need for greater accountability and for consistent standards and practices at every step.MoreShare this article >

Ecolab seeks to include antimicrobial in produce wash waterOffice of the Federal RegisterEcolab Inc. has filed a petition proposing to amend the food additive regulations so that sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate can be used as an antimicrobial agent in produce wash water without requiring an additional potable water rinse.MoreShare this article >

EU Parliament rejects food label amendmentsFood NavigatorThe European Parliament has blocked a proposal to amend food labeling laws that would have allowed new "percentage less" claims on nutrition content, such as sugar, salt and fat — a move the food industry says is a bitter pill for the food sector to swallow. MoreShare this article >

Japan, US plan for TPP talksThe Mainichi Daily NewsJapan and the United States are arranging to begin preliminary talks at an early date on Japan's future participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Wednesday.MoreShare this article >

French food makers can use 'GMO free' labelsBloomberg BusinessweekFrench food companies can label products as "GMO free" to indicate they contain no or only trace amounts of genetically modified crops, the government said.MoreShare this article >

Taiwan pledges continued work on US trade issuesTaiwan TodayTaiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said Wednesday his administration attaches great importance to relations with the U.S. and is committed to further expanding bilateral ties, including the issue of Taiwan's ban on some U.S. beef.MoreShare this article >

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Taco Bell named as Salmonella culpritFood Safety NewsOn Wednesday, Food Safety News editor Dan Flynn broke news of the identity of "Restaurant Chain A" as Taco Bell in the 10-state outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis that sickened at least 68 individuals in October and November. MoreShare this article >

Hispanic culture affecting breakfast, dinner trendsBakingBusiness.comThe growing Hispanic population is having an effect on the nation's breakfast and dinner meal occasions, according to the market research firm The NPD Group's National Eating Trends Hispanic report. MoreShare this article >

Animal fats, greases to fuel commercial fleetsGlobeNewswire via MarketWatchDynamic Fuels, a venture of Tyson Foods and Syntroleum Corp., is working with Mansfield Oil Co. to distribute synthetic, renewable diesel fuel derived from animal fats and greases. The partnership is focused on the commercial fleet vehicle market.MoreShare this article >

Swelling demand for skinny beefMail TribuneAndy Joffer of the Joffer Family Ranch in Ruch, Ore., has discovered his roping steers also produce a lean meat that is prized by fitness buffs and healthy eaters.MoreShare this article >

Texas Tech earns grant to find Salmonella solutions for beefLubbock Avalanche-JournalA team of Texas Tech University researchers have been awarded $540,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and an additional $150,000 from the Beef Checkoff program to research and provide solutions for Salmonella in cattle. MoreShare this article >

Columbus upgrades refrigeration technologyRefrigerated & Frozen FoodsSpecialty meats processor Columbus Foods said it will spend $7 million and install a reconfigured ammonia refrigeration system at its South San Francisco, Calif., facility. Officials say Columbus' new system will exceed current EPA Clean Air Act standards and provide increased safety for employees and the community surrounding its plant.MoreShare this article >

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